Category Archives: To See

We’ve seen this amateur video — recorded in Metro Manila (Philippines, of course) when the clock struck 12 ushering in the New Year — immediately after it was posted in youtube, but didn’t repost it here. Not until now, anyway. The reason? We can’t decide whether we should be happy or sad about this sight. On one hand (no pun intended), we feel a lot of discomfort with the thought of injuries and pollution, among others, that surely come after the dust settles (or, more properly, after the fireworks smoke settles). On the other hand, there’s a weird side of us which is highly amused, giggling, at the sight of the non-stop explosions in EVERY part of the metro. The only other sight of fireworks that sufficiently moved us to write a post here in VisitPinas was the gold medal finish of the Philippines during the 2013 international fireworks competition (see video). Anyway, going back, let us know what you think of this kind of [fun] madness when it comes to New Year big bang, Philippine-style. There’s nothing like this in the whole world, we’ve heard. First, watch this video. Continue reading New Year Fireworks: More Fun in the Philippines→

Bohol is now more than the Chocolate Hills, the heavenly white beach of Panglao Island, the tarsier, the Loboc River cruise, the old churches, the man-made forest and other attractions. It now hosts one of the MOST important needs of any serious traveler — the toilet. Call it what you want — comfort room, restroom, or any other name — but it’s ideally a place of peace and comfort. We know, of course, that a clean toilet is a rarity for travelers on the road (but, mind you, seasoned travelers can do it the “natural” way). Imagine a CLEAN toilet. Imagine a CLEAN and ELEGANT toilet of a gas station. Now, stop imagining and go to Bohol. You’ll find this SHELL station (yes, we have to emphasize that it’s a Shell station as a token of appreciation for a gas station that takes a little from its billions of profits and gives back to motorists in the form of an ACTUAL, REAL clean toilet). We haven’t seen something like this, which is why we have this story about toilets. We hope other Shell stations follow suit. We hope ALL other gas stations follow soon (tell us which gas station has done so and we’ll feature them). Here, watch this video courtesy of Filipino-Canadian Jason Godfrey: Continue reading Gas Station Toilet: More Fun in the Philippines→

From learning new dance moves “at an 800-year old festival” to working on your photo skills “at the world’s selfie capital” — two of the 15 ways to have more fun in 2015, the new campaign by the Department of Tourism highlights the prospect that “any activity you want to do is definitely going to be more fun if you’re in the Philippines.” While we’re more attached to this year’s video (watch), we’re always willing to wait for the full unfolding of the 2015 tourism campaign. Watch the full video and see the 15 ways to have more fun in the Philippines, here: Continue reading 15 Ways to Have More Fun in 2015: Visit the Philippines Year 2015→

Who is our national hero? We all know the National Hero is Jose Rizal, but do you know that the designation is not official? The same is true for other national symbols like the national animal (kalabaw), national fruit (mango), national dance (tinikling, later changed by DepEd to carinosa), national house (bahay-kubo), national vehicle (jeepney), national food (adobo), national clothing (baro’t saya for women and barony tagalog for men). As of this writing, there are only 10 national symbols that are officially sanctioned: (1) Pambansang Awit or National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang; (2) National Symbol; (3) National Flag; (4) Pambansang Wika or National Language: Filipino; (5) Pambansang Bulaklak or National Flower: Sampaguita, sought to be changed to waling-waling; (6) Pambansang Puno or National Tree: Narra; (7) Pambansang Ibon or National Bird: Philippine Eagle; (8) Pambansang Laro or National Sport: Arnis; (9) National Gem: South Sea Pearl; and (10) National Motto: “Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa“. While you’re berating yourself for not knowing that there’s a national motto, watch this news video: Continue reading Getting to Know the Philippines’ National Symbols→

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again (and we’ll most likely say this a thousand times more), singing is a national hobby in the Philippines. So it came as no surprise that the 25th Anniversary gala performance of Miss Saigon, playing at the Prince Edward Theatre, London, featured the original Kim, Lea Salonga. It also featured another Filipina making her mark in the world musical stage, Rachelle Ann Go. Lea Salonga is also known as a Disney Princess (the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan). But, lately, in her participation in The Voice Philippines, we see a different personality shining through — we don’t know if it’s just role-playing, but she sure comes across as a b*tch. Still, as someone noted, every time Lea Salonga sings the classics, our hearts melt, and we remember that we love her. Yes, we still love her. Here, watch: Continue reading Lea Salonga, Rachelle Ann Go, Miss Saigon: Told You, Singing Is More Fun in the Philippines (video)→

We’ll go out on a limb and make this fearless categorical claim — there is AT LEAST ONE teacher that inspired each and every graduate out there. One of these days we’ll produce a video or something to show heartfelt appreciation to ALL good teachers of the world. Marami pong salamat, guro. In the meantime, to show that Filipinos appreciate our teachers, and to mark the celebration of World Teachers Day and the National Teachers Day in the Philippines, October 5, we’re sharing this video. Take time to share this, tag your teachers, and say thank you. Today. Continue reading Thank a Teacher Today: Salamat, Guro (Share this Video, Tag your Teachers, Say Thank You)→

It’s not unusual to have a theme song for every important moment or emotion in our lives. Love songs, for instance, immortalize our great loves and the not-so-great breakups. When it comes to travel, specifically in and around the Philippines, there are certain kinds of songs that capture the energy and beauty of the Philippines. While our new favorite is the It’s More Fun in the Philippines campaign, one of the first Philippine travel songs that we fell in love with is this Biyahe Tayo jingle. It still fills us up with sunny happiness even during the rainy season. Please share it with the world. Watch it, here: Continue reading Fall in Love with Philippine Travel: Halika, Biyahe Tayo!→

With its crystal clear waters and abundant sea life, the Philippines is a perfect spot for freedivers. People engage in freediving — swimming underwater without any breathing apparatus — as a recreation. Now, imagine staying underwater without any breathing device for around 5 minutes as a way of life? That’s the way of life of the Badjao. We know the Badjao as an ethnic Filipino community in southern Philippines who call the sea their home. Featured in this clip from the Human Planet documentary on Oceans (Sea Bed Hunting On One Breath – Human Planet: Oceans), is a Badjao (also Bajaw, spelled in the documentary as Bajau) underwater fish hunter doing what he does naturally: free diving at its best. Watch: Continue reading Free Diving: More Fun in the Philippines→

If you think the fight is over, think again. The Cheerdance Competition in UAAP Season 77 may have been decided last 14 September 2014 but the spirited debate is far from finished. Not much contention for the 3rd place finish of the UST Salinggawi. The beef of contention is between UP and NU. Did the NU Pep Squad really deserve its second championship trophy? Did the UP Pep Squad deserve to regain the championship after first relinquishing it to NU last year? Here, watch the 2014 UAAP CDC videos again and decide for yourselves. Continue reading Cheerdance 2014: NU vs UP vs UST in UAAP Season 77→